This itinerary, pricing and escorts are subject to change. Insurance is available and highly recommended. Single rates are available upon request. Please consult the Terms and Conditions, as they apply starting with the first payment.
A 3% discount applies off the cost of the trip, if the trip is paid in full by check with in 7-10 business days of invoice date. Gratuities are additional and will be collected with final payment. All prices listed are in USD unless otherwise noted.

TRIP-AT-A-GLANCE

KILLARNEY & BELFAST EXTENSIONS

OPTIONAL TOURS

TESTIMONIALS

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

Round-trip international airfare from the United States to Ireland.

Private deluxe motor coach and driver/guide.

Professional Craftours tour escort the entire time.

First-class hotel accommodations throughout the expedition.

Delicious Irish breakfast served daily and some dinners.

A drive through the famous "Burren" area on the West Coast of Ireland.

A visit to the Galway Cathedral to see the magnificent Connemara Marble.

Tour the famous Connemara Region and see an Irish bog and the famous bridge from the movie "The Quiet Man."

Shopping on the famous Grafton Street in Dublin.

A visit to the family owned Avoca weaving facility.

A full day optional photography and mixed media workshop with a master artisan.

A train ride across Ireland taking in the beautiful Irish countryside.

A visit to see the extraordinary Kylemore Abbey.

Shopping in the seaside craft village of Spiddal.

An Irish crystal carving demonstration by a master artist.

A presentation and shopping at the Joyce family owned Connemara Marble facility.

Visit to the famous Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.

An optionalfelting workshop with a master felt artist.

A special evening of Crafting a TV show with Jim West and showing of Destination Craft with Jim West - "Ireland episode."

All taxes are included in this package and insurance highly recommended.

A Craftours lanyard, luggage tag and commemorative gifts.

IRELAND HIGHLIGHTS:

Dublin
Dublin is the capital and largest city of Ireland. Founded as a Viking settlement, the Kingdom of Dublin became Ireland's principal city following the Norman invasion. The city expanded rapidly from the 17th century and was briefly the second largest city in the British Empire before the Act of Union in 1800. Following the partition of Ireland in 1922, Dublin became the capital of the Irish Free State, later renamed Ireland. It is a historical and contemporary centre for education, the arts, administration, economy and industry.

Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland. They rise 120 metres above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag's Head, and reach their maximum height of 214 metres just north of O'Brien's Tower, eight kilometres to the north. The tower is a round stone tower near the midpoint of the cliffs built in 1835 by Sir Cornelius O'Brien. From the cliffs and from atop the tower, visitors can see the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, the Maumturks and Twelve Pins mountain ranges to the north in County Galway, and Loop Head to the south. The cliffs rank are amongst the top visited tourist sites in Ireland, and receive almost one million visitors a year.

Bunratty Castle
Bunratty Castle is a large 15th century tower house in County Clare, Ireland. It is located in the centre of Bunratty village, between Limerick and Ennis, near Shannon Town and its airport. The castle and the adjoining folk park are run by Shannon Heritage as tourist attractions.

The present castle, was built by the MacNamara family after around 1425. Its builder may have been one Maccon Sioda MacNamara, chieftain of Clann Cuilein (i.e. the MacNamaras). He died before the castle was completed which happened under his son Sean Finn (died in 1467). At around 1500, Bunratty Castle came into the hands of the O'Briens (or O'Brians), the most powerful clan in Munster and later Earls of Thomond. They expanded the site and eventually made it their chief seat, moving it there from Ennis.

Celtic Crystal Factory
Celtic Crystal was founded in 1972. This family-run business has been pioneering the incorporation of Celtic Designs and Gaelic Motifs into its ornate Irish Crystal and it is proud to claim leadership in this field.

Today, this tradition is continued by our talented and creative yound Irish crafts people; reproducing the culture and history of Ireland by crafting the unique and intricate designs that are synonymous with Ireland's Celtic heritage on our exquisite crystal pieces.

Kylemore Abbey & Gardens
Kylemore Abbey is a Benedictine monastery founded in 1920 on the grounds of Kylemore Castle, in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. The abbey was founded for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I. The current Mother Abbess of the Benedictine Community is Mary Margaret Funk.

Connemara Marble Shop
Stephen Walsh and his family will welcome you to Connemara marble. His family have worked the beautiful, green Connemara marble for three generations and take great pride in the Irish jewelry and Irish gifts that they produce.

Connemara marble is over 900 Million years old and is unique to Ireland. They own and operate the oldest marble quarry, which was first opened in the 19th Century, and visited in 1903 by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra during the Royal tour of Connemara.

Galway Cathedral
The Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, commonly known as Galway Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Galway, Ireland, and is one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the city.

The Mill at Avoca Village
The Mill is a clothing manufacturing, retail and food business in Ireland. Started in Avoca, County Wicklow, it is the oldest working woollen mill in Ireland and one of the world's oldest manufacturing companies. It is also Ireland's oldest surviving business.

BELFAST PACKAGE INCLUDES:March 24 - April 3rd, 2018
Our 11-Day Tour Includes all the amazing destinations above along with a day trip to Belfast, where you will have an opportunity to explore the Titanic Museum and shopping in the city.

Titanic Museum
Titanic Belfast is a visitor attraction and a monument to Belfast's maritime heritage on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard in the city's Titanic Quarter. It tells the stories of the ill-fated RMS Titanic, which sank on her maiden voyage in 1912, and her sister ships RMS Olympic and HMHS Britannic. The building contains more than 12,000 square metres of floor space, most of which is occupied by a series of galleries, plus private function rooms and community facilities.

KILLARNEY PACKAGE INCLUDES:March 24 - April 4th, 2018
Our 12-Day Tour includes everything in the 9-Day Tour along with spending time in Kilarney, a visit to the quaint port town of Dingle and a day tour to the historic town of Kinsale.

Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula is the northernmost of the major peninsulae in County Kerry. It ends beyond the town of Dingle at Dunmore Head, the westernmost point of Ireland and arguably Europe.

The Dingle Peninsula is named after the town of Dingle. The peninsula is also commonly called Corca Dhuibhne even when those referring to it are speaking in English. Corca Dhuibhne, which means "seed or tribe of Duibhne", takes its name from the túath of Corco Dhuibhne who occupied the peninsula in the Middle Ages and who also held a number of territories in the south and east of County Kerry.

Kinsale
Originally a medieval fishing port, historic Kinsale is one of the most picturesque, popular and historic towns on the south west coast of Ireland.

Visitors to Kinsale are captivated by its beautiful setting; its long waterfront, yacht-filled harbour, narrow winding streets and brightly painted galleries, shops and houses. The impressive fortifications of Charles Fort and James Fort guard the narrow entrance from the sea - giving clues to its rich history. Kinsale has also been hailed as "The Gourmet Capital of Ireland", with no shortage of cafés, pubs and restaurants to suit every taste.

Optional Tours:

Irish Cooking Class
This class includes a scone making demonstration, and everyone will be making their own batch of scones along with other traditional Irish delights.

No one knows the exact origin of these delicious treats, but scones have become a tradition throughout Scotland, Ireland and England that date back hundreds of years. Traditionally scones are made with wheat flour, sugar, butter, milk & eggs and may include raisins or currents folded in the dough, but are versatile enough to taste good with many other dried fruits, nuts or even chocolate.

The cost of this optional tour is $86.00 pp.

Painting & Fabric Design
Participate in a very creative process of painting and fabric designing as you travel to the Connemara Region of Ireland and let the 40 shades of green inspire you to create a masterpiece that you can use for quilting, mixed media projects or crafts. Space is limited so don't miss out on this very special opportunity.

The cost of this optional tour is $128.00 pp.

Felting Workshop
The art of felting uses wool to create anything you can imagine, from hanging art to small furry creatures. During this workshop you will learn the art of felting with a master felt artist. We will create a small project that you can take home as a memento of your time in Ireland as you learn the basics of felting.

The cost of this optional tour is $114.00 pp.

Photography & Mixed Media Workshop
Enjoy a class where you can expand your creativity and capture your journey in a unique way. We will learn how to take great photographs to capture this beautiful country and use those to create a one of a kind mixed media project.

The cost of this optional tour is $124.00 pp.

Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry is a popular tourist rounte in County Kerry, that passes through the towns of Killarney, Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen and Glenbeigh. It starts around the Iveragh Peninsula, includes Ladies View and continues to Killorglin. It's often a narrow, winding route with stunning views and plenty of things to do along the way.

The cost of this optional tour is $28.00 pp. (Available to 12-Day Participants only.)

Kathy Paye, Tucson, AZ - "I enjoyed myself immensely both doing the classes and learning about the history of the art."

Yael Hellman, Beverly Hills, CA - "The trip to China was amazing. The arts and crafts workshops were informative and fun. The sightseeing fabulous. I have been on many international trips and this was organized, professional, and well thought out. The accommodations were top notch. I would not hesitate to recommend CraftTours to friends and family."

Roberta Allen, Ocean Side, CA - "From the moment I received my "welcome package" in the mail, I knew this was going to be an outstanding experience. I am a seasoned traveler and know if this much thought was put into a welcome package, then the trip is going to be very memorable... and it was!"

Sharon Margiotta, Pheonix, AZ - "Jim does an excellent job of providing a great trip at a great value! Overall, my experience was excellent .... a good balance of scheduled time and free time. Really enjoyed it!"

Lorraine Brown, Plainwell, MI - "I really enjoy the small group tours. You get an opportunity to meet people from all over & share your experiences!"

Bernadette Phelan, Ocala, FL - "This tour was so much more than I expected!"

Susie Rikard, Ashland, VA - "This trip was handled very professionally. There was always a tour representative available if we had questions or needed assistance."

Steve Morris, Chillicothe, IL - "China trip was well organized, staffed, and executed. Craftours guides as well as Chinese support/interpreters did an excellent job of assisting guests and helping us understand Chinese culture and history. Originally thought I didn't want to do any crafts. But did do the clay figurines and enjoyed the class. Trip was a good value."

Sally Robinson, College Station, TX - "I enjoyed the trip very much. I would definitely travel with this company again."

Ann Vix, Nashville, TN - "I just finished my third tour with Craftours - I've done Japan, India, and China, and they've all been fabulous. I've been doing handwork and crafts since I was a small child. I don't really specialize in anything - I quilt, sew and bead as the inclination takes me. I love art and history. China was a great tour of a great and very BIG country. It wiped me out physically but it was worth it. I really trust your company to take care of me and you did not let me down. The hotels are great and guides were with us every step of the way, including airports and customs. I really appreciate that."

Pat Christenson, Kirkland, WA - "The Arts and Crafts Expedition to China was an unforgettable experience."

Lois Adams, Trinity, FL - "The excursions were amazing."

Barbara Larson, Chaska, MN - "The crafts we learned were pretty cool. I have never heard of the bottle painting. It was fun to try out new crafts. The trip to the Great Wall and Tiananmen square was wonderful. I enjoyed seeing the Terra Cotta warriors. That was a great trip. The Yangtze river cruise was relaxing with some interesting side excursions. Then seeing pandas at the zoo was a highlight as well! We were fed well on this trip. Sometimes too well, I think. The food selections and choices were sometimes too much, but it was all good!"

Sara Borr, Norristown, PA - "A trip of a life time. We visited so many wonderful places of importance to China. Took are of several items on my "Bucket List". A very physical trip, lots of walking and hundreds of steps. Not for those who are physically challenged."

Deborah Torri, Morris, IL - "This tour was a phenomenal trip through the most important and exciting parts of China! It was extremely well organized and creative in all the venues we experienced from The Great Wall to a tea sampling experience! We could not have asked for more!"

Suzanne Doonan, Malvern, PA - "I enjoyed the craft experience, both the instruction and the many examples available in the markets. The interpreters shared their life experiences and answered questions that helped me appreciate Chinese culture. The trip to Central China provided exposure to the agrarian vs urban experience."

Ultimate Arts & Crafts of India Expedition - September 2017

Kathie Vaughn, Carmichael, CA - "This India trip was full of wonderful surprises, from the vibrant colors in clothing and markets to the welcoming smiles of native people. I was particularly impressed by the beauty and intricate texture of its historical buildings and with the range of interesting and colorful crafts we experienced. Craftours does a great job of organizing these trips and they don't skimp on accommodations, food, or transportation -- all first class!"

Louise Chiosso, Hemet, CA - "Tour was great!"

Susan Haftel, Gainesville, VA - "A well-planned and exceptional trip that included much exposure to the art of India."

Gwen Lafleur, South Jordan, UT - "The tour was well put together, as always, with great accommodations, and a nice selection of local crafts and tourist activities."

Suzanne Neilson, Toronto, ON - "I enjoyed learning about the wonderful arts and crafts of India, the accommodations were excellent. Our local guides, Govind Agrawal and Harshul Kothari were excellent, always helpful and knowledgeable about local customs and history."

Zoe Morning, Wausau, WI - "Very informative!"

Debbie McInnes, Niagra Falls, ON - "A great trip with lots of craft workshops and great excursions!"

Lucy Harville, Central Point, OR - "I enjoyed the opportunity to go to India for a very reasonable price."

Maura Hibbitts, Broadalbin, NY - "This was a trip of a lifetime for myself and my husband! I loved every moment. Crafttours did an amazing job organizing and finding such unique places for us to experience. I really liked learning from the local crafts people, and having the opportunity to try many of these crafts myself. What a beautiful country, a land of contrasts and culture, and generous and friendly people, and our tour really focused on that."

Lorraine Brown, Plainwell, MI - "Great trip! Mary Ellen was very helpful and assertive when getting to where we needed to be. And especially in helping me during my first experience with heat exhaustion! She made sure I was safe & got me water & sugar while the rest of the tour was able to continue with Govind! And Govind answered all our questions and gave us the opportunity to experience local customs we otherwise would not have experienced! Thank you so much!"

Albert Cote, Niagra Falls, ON - "You will never be disappointed travelling with Craftours! Every detail is looked after. The best hotels and day trips are always on the schedule. Excellent tour guides and craft classes are second to none."

Marcia Richardson , Jacksonville, FL - "I had a wonderful time on the Ultimate Arts and Crafts Expedition to Bali... The resorts where we stayed during the trip were top notch and the staff of each were extremely accommodating to all of us as they seemed to go over and above to please us. The guides and tour escorts were truly awesome - they looked after all of us, even those of us that were not in their group... I know want to participate in another trip."

Patricia Wilson , Willits, CA - "The entire trip was far above anything I had imagined! The Balinese people are so gracious and the countryside enchanting! We loved participating in the crafts offered. It was wonderful to be able to bring home our own attempts from the various workshops! Our efforts at the crafts gave us a greater appreciation of what the local people have created! What fun to shop in the open-aired markets and be in contact with the charming people! Our daily hearty breakfasts started us out with the energizing foods that we needed to experience the wonders of the day! Thank you so much for the exquisite welcoming and farewell dinners - the celebrations couldn't have been more apropos. We LOVED our tour guide who was from the city of Ubud. He lovingly and humorously spoke of his native land - giving insights only someone from Bali could impart! The hotel accommodations were excellent - one a more intimate setting, the other amazingly lovely with the gorgeous landscaping and closeness to the Indian Ocean. We all delighted in the pretty Balinese dancers and rindik bamboo music that greeted us as we entered the hotel for the first time. I cannot stop thinking about our wonderful adventures...and speak highly of our experiences to all who have asked! Many thanks! Our time in Bali will give us happy thoughts for our lifetime!"

Sally Mack , Guernsey, WY - "What an incredible way to visit a country, to meet the people and learn about the culture. While many tours visit museums and historical sites (and I enjoy that too), Crafttours allowed us to literally meet "real" people, in their homes and businesses. And to have the opportunity to see, and experience to a small degree, the handiwork of Bali! Just wonderful. I will be looking at future possibilities."

Karen Fournier , Drumheller, Alberta - "I absolutely loved this trip! I have never traveled with a tour group before, and I was impressed with the service, the top-notch hotels and the excursions provided. Already put a deposit down for the Ireland trip in 2019!!"

Carol Christy , Bixby, OK - "This was my second trip to Bali and my third trip with Craftours. Everything was top grade! I saw things I hadn't seen before, met new friends and thoroughly enjoyed "island" life. I'm already thinking of when I can go again.... but there are so many places in the world yet to discover."

Kag Buckley , Topping, VA - "This was a truely exotic destination. the people and the crafts were awesome and unique."

Marsha McElroy , Tulsa, OK - "Wonderful trip, I appreciated staying in the city and then going to the beach resort. Our local guide Matada was well informed and interesting. Everyone we met made us feel welcome."

Peggy Carter , Jenkinsburg, GA - "It was an experience I'll never forget. The hotels were great, and so were the crafts. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire trip. Our tour escort, Holly, did a fabulous job on keeping us informed, hydrated, and happy."

Theodora Carter , Scottsdale, AZ - "I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure and the wonderful people I met on the tour. I honestly loved being in Bali so much I did not want to return to the States. Leaving Bali was very depressing for me."

Nikki Barker , Onalaska, WI - "This trip was so much fun and more than I expected! To be able to travel with my mom and grandma and experience all of the fun crafts and experiences we had- it will be something I will never forget! On a side note- the price for this trip was a steal! You get to do so much and stay at beautiful resorts for a fraction of the cost! I will definitely take another trip through Craftours!!"

Pamela Blatzheim , Henderson, NV - "This was a trip of a lifetime."

Kathie Vaughn , Carmichael, CA - "Spending a week in Bali was a dream come true. You can't beat the price and diversity of activities offered by Craftours!"

Joanne Bouchard , Henderson, NV - "What a wonderful adventure--once in a lifetime!! We experienced beautiful Bali, learned about the people and their culture, learned new crafts and met wonderful fellow travelers. Thank you Craftours."

Susan Richards , Saint Louis Park, MN - "The staff and guides were great. The hotels were wonderful. I would say that the arts and crafts part was lacking in substance and was more about shopping then learning a new craft. In fact, even the expo was more about shopping than seeing different types of batiks. The batik school and going to the batik factory and making the batiks with the stamps was very educational."

Jean Cassell , Cashton, WI - "This was one of the places I always wanted to go to. This tour was so much more then I could have thought it would be. Everything was first class so planned out. I think we really liked it, as our conversations on the way home was, where do we go next."

Cynthia Hanson , Durham, CA - "Great, eye opening experience! The hands-on projects at various workshops gave me a deeper appreciation for the skill and craftsmanship involved. Going behind the scenes and storefronts makes a more lasting impression and gives depth to my memories of Bali. So nice not to spend time and energy on the logistics of the travel. Time and energy spent absorbing the experiences."

Susan Simmons , Durham, CA - "I enjoyed participating in all the crafts activities. I would have liked more time to complete the processes but realize when group participation is involved, everyone works at a different pace or a different interest level."

Sandra (Sandy) Millett , Corvallis, OR - "Once in Bali and broken up into smaller groups, the daily tours worked well and were very enjoyable."

Suzanne Bedke , Brookings, OR - "My first Craftour and I went because I had never been to Bali. Craft experiences were quite enjoyable."

Dianne Caron , Red Deer, Alberta - "This tour was an incredible experience. The people were awesome, the interaction with the locals was very good. Our tour guide was very dedicated to keeping us happy and healthy. She was just great. Being able to actually get in and "get my hands dirty" so to speak; beyond words amazing..."

Faye Oszli , Grand Prairie, Alberta - "An awesome experience, great to learn about and try our hand at some new crafts."

Karen Uridel , Mentor, OH - "I loved this trip. The hotels were beautiful and more than I expected. The people were kind and thoughtful and generous. The events were well planned and very interesting."

Barba Drebenstedt , Davenport, IA - "This trip far exceeded my expectations in every way. The Craftours staff went beyond the extra mile to make this a friendly, knowledgeable and fun experience. I would highly recommend Craftours to anyone looking for a fun and unique experience in the world of crafts. I'd like to take another trip in the near future."

Kathy Blakey , San Diego, CA - "What an incredible trip to Bali. I never thought that I would be so moved as I was by the precious souls of Bali! Their kindness, generosity, humility are the things we need more of throughout the world. I had a great time learning so much about Batiks. I no longer look at them the same. The elephants, monkeys, mask making, batiking, shopping (oh the shopping), massages, food, painting, our local guides, bus drivers, the food, did I mention the food? A trip of a lifetime. The trip is for anyone who really wants to learn from the people of Bali and find inner peace. Highly recommended. I will go again!!"

Doris Hulse , The Villages, FL - "The tour was amazing. We stayed at two excellent hotels, one in Ubud and one at the beach in Nusa Dua. They were both beautiful but very different from each other. The first was smaller and more of a boutique hotel, the beach hotel was huge, and very well appointed. The tours were great, I don't know how you could get around to everything we did without a tour group like Craft Tours."

Karen Draper , Tigard, OR - "It was an incredible trip. The people on our bus (#5) were great. Sherrill was a fantastic tour director."

Lisa Stark , Huntington Beach, CA - "The tour had a very nice assortment of arts and crafts opportunities. There was something for everyone. The amenities were very good. The tour was a very good value. I learned some new crafts on this tour, and had fun trying new things."

Sharon Sato , Freemont, CA - "This tour was fantastic. The people were truly gracious, the different craft projects were great, especially learning how to make Batiks."

Jes Ballas , Walnutport, PA - "This was a very unique way to experience Bali. I don't think the average tourist got to see & do the things we did. We got to see Bali in a unique way by having hands-on experiences with local people which was fascinating."

Carol Thompson, Phoenix, AZ - "This tour took me to places that the average tourist would not see. I enjoyed the variety of items we made and the gentle push outside my comfort zone. Our tour leader was great, and I met many wonderful people."

Karen Eiler , Moline, IL - "Beyond my expectations."

Donna Koser , Westminster, SC - "Enjoyed the tour."

Faith Clover , St. Paul, MN - "This was my first trip and, you might say, a trial run. I was very impressed with the overall organization, the quality of accommodations, the crafts we were introduced to and in which we participated. In general, these far exceeded my expectations. First, a short series of talks on the history and cultural background of Bali, especially on the role of crafts in the culture. The batik day was great! Excellent teachers, plenty of time to finish our projects."

Roberta Allen, Oceanside, CA - "This trip was AMAZING! Bali is a wonderful destination, and Craftours really pulled out all the stops with our hotels in Ubud and Nusa Dua. The hotels selected were top-notch and made the experience so much better."

Shelly Wickham , Sturgeon Bay, WI - "This arts and crafts expedition to Bali was amazing. I was happy with the hands-on crafts that we got to participate in, however, I am not a quilter, but more of a card maker/scrapbooker, so the 'hands on' portion is not why I took this trip. The hotel was absolutely beautiful and I would highly recommend staying there again."

Pamela Gray , Fullerton, CA - "The trip was better than we could have imagined. There were unexpected gifts, the hotels were fabulous. The craft experiences were eye opening as to how much work goes into batiks, masks ect."

Leslie Harvill , Macon, GA - "It was a great trip. Things ran smoothly given the size of the group, 160 people!!! The Komenaka at Bisma was AMAZING! I would definitely travel with this company again."

Judy Read , Vars, Ontario - "This was a once in a lifetime experience. Exceptional guides, luxury accommodation, positive attitudes. Very long flight for eight days, but once in country, this was a wonderful bucket-list adventure."